(code with "puts Time.now" at beginning and end was pasted in)

>> puts Time.now
Sun Feb 15 15:44:38 -0500 2009
=> nil
>> count = ObjectSpace.each_object { }
=> 7930
>> 100_000.times do |i|
?>   String.new
>>   c = ObjectSpace.each_object { }
>>   if c < count
>>     puts "GC - Iteration #{i} - Was #{count} now #{c}"
>>   end
>>   count = c
>> end
GC - Iteration 14738 - Was 24489 now 5272
GC - Iteration 31811 - Was 22348 now 5273
GC - Iteration 48884 - Was 22349 now 5274
GC - Iteration 65956 - Was 22349 now 5273
GC - Iteration 83029 - Was 22349 now 5273
=> 100000
>> puts Time.now
Sun Feb 15 15:46:52 -0500 2009
=> nil

(note that this took about 2.5 minutes!)